Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A processor implemented method, comprising: receiving inference-input information from one or more input sources when a mobile device is in a vehicle, wherein an individual input source is a camera positioned to capture a space in front of a display of the mobile device; inferring a vehicle state of the vehicle based on the inference-input information; generating an attention profile from the inference-input information; predicting future driving conditions that may be encountered by the vehicle before the future driving conditions are actually encountered; and, presenting a user interface experience for a user operating the vehicle, the user interface experience imposing attention-related demands on the user, where the attention-related demands are selected based on the vehicle state, the attention profile, and the predicted future driving conditions, wherein the user interface experience disallows touch control of the mobile device when the user is operating the vehicle and monitors input from the camera to detect user gestures for controlling the mobile device.
A method performed by a processor involves a mobile device in a vehicle receiving data from input sources, including a camera that views the space in front of the device's screen. It determines the vehicle's state (e.g., driving, stopped) based on this input. It also creates an "attention profile" from the input, assessing how much and what kind of attention the driver is giving. Based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions, the system presents a user interface tailored to the driver's needs. This interface restricts touch controls while the driver is driving and uses the camera to recognize hand gestures for controlling the device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein another individual input source comprises at least one movement-sensing device comprising one or more of: an accelerometer device; a gyro device; a vision device; a magnetometer device; and a position-determining device.
The method described in Claim 1 uses movement-sensing devices as another input source when a mobile device is in a vehicle. These movement-sensing devices include one or more of the following: an accelerometer (measures acceleration), a gyroscope (measures rotation), a vision device (e.g. camera, analyzes movement visually), a magnetometer (measures magnetic fields), and a position-determining device (e.g. GPS). The vehicle's state is inferred from the combined input of the camera and these additional movement sensors, and the user interface experience is presented based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted driving conditions.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the position-determining device comprises a GPS device.
The method described in Claim 2 uses movement-sensing devices as another input source when a mobile device is in a vehicle. As described in claim 2, these include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a vision device, a magnetometer, and a position-determining device. The position-determining device, specifically, is a GPS device. The vehicle's state is inferred from the combined input of the camera and these additional movement sensors, including the GPS, and the user interface experience is presented based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted driving conditions.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein another individual input source comprises at least one sensor device associated with the vehicle, the sensor device being external to the mobile device.
The method described in Claim 1 uses sensor devices associated with the vehicle itself (external to the mobile device) as another input source when a mobile device is in a vehicle. The vehicle's state is inferred from the combined input of the camera and these external vehicle sensors, and the user interface experience is presented based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted driving conditions. This is in addition to the camera that views the space in front of the device's screen.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein another individual input source comprises at least one sensor device that is associated with a mount which holds the mobile device within the vehicle.
The method described in Claim 1 uses sensor devices associated with the mount holding the mobile device within the vehicle as another input source when a mobile device is in a vehicle. The vehicle's state is inferred from the combined input of the camera and the mount's sensors, and the user interface experience is presented based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted driving conditions. This is in addition to the camera that views the space in front of the device's screen.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inferring comprises determining whether the vehicle is moving or not moving, based on the inference-input information.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of inferring the vehicle's state from input includes determining whether the vehicle is moving or stationary based on the received data. This determination is made using input from the camera positioned to capture a space in front of the mobile device. Based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions, the system presents a user interface tailored to the driver's needs.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inferring comprises classifying a manner in which the vehicle is moving, based on the inference-input information.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of inferring the vehicle's state from input includes classifying the manner in which the vehicle is moving (e.g., accelerating, decelerating, turning) based on the received data. This classification is made using input from the camera positioned to capture a space in front of the mobile device. Based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions, the system presents a user interface tailored to the driver's needs.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inferring comprises determining a location of the vehicle based on the inference-input information, and assessing the attention-related demands associated with that location.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of inferring the vehicle's state from input includes determining the vehicle's location using the received data and assessing the attention-related demands associated with that location. The location is determined using input from the camera positioned to capture a space in front of the mobile device. Based on the vehicle state, location-specific attention demands, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions, the system presents a user interface tailored to the driver's needs.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inferring comprises determining that the vehicle is in a distress condition based on the inference-input information, wherein the inference-input information contains evidence that the mobile device is located in the vehicle, and other evidence that at least one of: the vehicle has abruptly decelerated or accelerated; and the mobile device has become dislodged from a mount that holds the mobile device within the vehicle at a time of abrupt acceleration or deceleration.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of inferring the vehicle's state includes detecting a distress condition. This detection is based on evidence that the mobile device is in the vehicle, combined with other evidence that the vehicle has abruptly decelerated or accelerated, or that the mobile device has become dislodged from its mount during such abrupt movement. This distress condition is determined using input from the camera positioned to capture a space in front of the mobile device. Based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions, the system presents a user interface tailored to the driver's needs.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises at least partially enabling or restricting an output mode that delivers an output presentation to the user.
This invention relates to user interface systems that control the presentation of digital content to users. The problem addressed is the need for dynamic adjustment of output modes to enhance user experience, accessibility, or system efficiency. The invention provides a method for selectively enabling or restricting output modes that deliver content to users. Output modes may include visual displays, audio outputs, haptic feedback, or other sensory presentations. The method determines the appropriate output mode based on user preferences, environmental conditions, device capabilities, or other contextual factors. For example, in a noisy environment, the system may restrict audio output and enable visual or haptic feedback. The method ensures that the output presentation is tailored to the user's needs, improving accessibility and usability. The invention may be applied in devices such as smartphones, wearables, or assistive technologies. The core innovation lies in the dynamic control of output modes to optimize content delivery under varying conditions.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises changing a type of content that is provided by an output presentation that is delivered to the user.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of presenting a user interface involves changing the type of content delivered to the user. This means altering the information displayed or outputted based on the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions. Input from the camera is used to determine the appropriate content.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises changing at least one property of an output presentation that is delivered to the user.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of presenting a user interface involves changing properties of the output presented to the user, such as font size, brightness, or volume. The vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions determine the appropriate changes. Input from the camera is used to determine the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted driving conditions.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises controlling a vehicle system that is associated with the vehicle, where the vehicle system is external to the mobile device.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of presenting a user interface involves controlling vehicle systems (e.g., radio, climate control) that are external to the mobile device. The vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions dictate how the vehicle systems are controlled. Input from the camera is used to determine the vehicle state, attention profile, and predicted future driving conditions.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises attempting to obtain assistance for the user in response to a determination that the vehicle is in a distress condition.
In the method described in Claim 1, the process of presenting a user interface includes attempting to get help for the user when a distress condition is detected. As described in claim 9, this detection is based on evidence that the mobile device is in the vehicle, combined with other evidence that the vehicle has abruptly decelerated or accelerated, or that the mobile device has become dislodged from its mount during such abrupt movement. This attempt to obtain assistance occurs in response to a determination that the vehicle is in a distress condition, based on the input from the camera.
15. A mobile device, comprising: a display and a processor configured to control the display; a camera configured to capture a space in front of the display; an interface module configured to receive inference-input information from one or more input sources, at least one input source configured to provide an indication whether the mobile device is in a vehicle being operated by a user of the mobile device; a state detection module configured to infer a vehicle state of the vehicle based on the inference-input information, the vehicle state having an attention profile that characterizes a level of attention and a type of attention which is appropriate for the user to maintain while operating the vehicle; an experience presentation module configured to switch a user interface on the display from a handheld mode to a vehicle mode when the mobile device is in the vehicle, the experience presentation module further configured to disallow touch control of the mobile device according to the vehicle state and monitor input from the camera to detect user gestures for controlling the mobile device; the interface module, the state detection module, and the experience presentation module being implemented by the processor.
A mobile device has a display, a processor, and a camera facing forward. An interface receives data from various sources, including an indication of whether the device is in a moving vehicle. A "state detection module" uses this data to infer the vehicle's state and create an "attention profile," which characterizes appropriate attention levels for the driver. An "experience presentation module" switches the display to a "vehicle mode" that restricts touch controls, relying on the camera to detect hand gestures for control. This entire process is managed by the processor.
16. The mobile device functionality of claim 15 , wherein an application with which the mobile device interacts includes a plurality of resources, the plurality of resources including at least a first group of resources adapted for application in a first vehicle state, and a second group of resources adapted for application in a second vehicle state, wherein the experience presentation module is configured to use either the first group of resources or the second group of resources based on the vehicle state.
The mobile device from Claim 15 interacts with an application that has resource groups tailored for different vehicle states. The mobile device has a display and a processor configured to control the display. A camera is configured to capture a space in front of the display. An interface module is configured to receive inference-input information. A state detection module is configured to infer a vehicle state. The experience presentation module switches the user interface from handheld to vehicle mode. The resources include at least a first group of resources adapted for application in a first vehicle state, and a second group of resources adapted for application in a second vehicle state. The experience presentation module uses resources (first or second group) based on the inferred vehicle state.
17. A computer readable storage device for storing computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions executable by one or more processing devices, the computer readable instructions comprising: receiving inference-input information from one or more input sources, at least one input source configured to provide an indication whether a mobile device is in a vehicle being operated by a user of the mobile device; determining an attention profile that characterizes a level of attention and a type of attention which is appropriate for the user to maintain while operating the vehicle; switching a user interface on a display of the mobile device from a handheld mode to a vehicle mode when the mobile device is in the vehicle being operated by the user, wherein the vehicle mode disallows touch control of the mobile device, and wherein the user interface in the vehicle mode reflects the attention profile; and, in an instance when the user interface is in the vehicle mode, monitoring input from a space in front of the display of the mobile device to detect user gestures for controlling the mobile device.
A computer-readable storage device stores instructions for: receiving input indicating if a mobile device is in a vehicle; determining an "attention profile" (appropriate attention level for the driver); switching the mobile device's user interface from a handheld mode to a vehicle mode when in a vehicle. The vehicle mode disables touch control, reflects the attention profile, and monitors the area in front of the device's screen via camera to detect hand gestures for control.
18. The computer readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the one or more processing devices to perform further acts comprising controlling the mobile device based upon the monitoring.
The storage device from Claim 17, which stores instructions for receiving input indicating if a mobile device is in a vehicle, determining an "attention profile", switching the UI from handheld to vehicle mode with gesture control, also includes instructions for controlling the mobile device based on the detected hand gestures.
Unknown
August 19, 2014
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